Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Like many free applications, The Hat from Harmony Hollow Software uses software to do something usually done "the hard way." In this case, it's drawing names from a hat, the time-honored method for randomly selecting individual entries from a group. The app can randomize a list of names so no one can complain about who goes first and who goes last. It can also draw individual names or pairs of names for raffles, sweepstakes, and ongoing contests. It does this all without requiring you to actually write down names, cut up the list, and throw it all into a hat.
The Hat opens with a compact interface displaying a blank field with an icon-based toolbar above and a large Shuffle button below. The icons are simple; just buttons to select, add, remove, edit, print, and save lists, as well as Help, About, and Options menus. We clicked the large green plus sign and typed some names into The Hat's list view, though of course you can enter any text, not just names. We pressed Shuffle, and the interface came alive, shaking like a go-go dancer, flashing changing colors, and playing a "shuffling" sound that was a bit too close to digital jitter for our ears as it randomly reordered the list. The next thing we did was to click Options and uncheck the box for playing sounds, though we kept the flashing colors and shaking window. We also turned the sound effects off for the individual name picker feature, which has its own interface you access from the File menu by clicking either Pick Individual Names or Pick Pairs of Names. In this feature, The Hat selected names from the main list, removing them as they were selected and displaying them in a separate list of selected names, thus ensuring that names couldn't be selected again. As with the main view, we were able to save lists and results as text files and print them out. This is handy since you can create separate lists--your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period students, for example--and call them up or edit them at need.
The Hat is basically a simple randomizer with a straightforward interface. That's what software is all about, at its core: using code to simplify work. We can see how The Hat would appeal to teachers, parents, contest holders, coaches, gamers, and others who need to pick individual names or randomly order groups.
Publisher's Description
From Harmony Hollow Software:
Just like drawing names from a hat to determine a random order for a group of people or to choose individual random names or groups of names. Just input a list of names in any of several different ways, then let the program randomly re-order the entire list automatically or pick any number of random names individually or any amount of names at a time. Cool animation actually shows the names coming out of a hat or, optionally, a colorful beach bucket. This is great for selecting winners of raffles or sweepstakes or for parents or teachers to decide a random, arbitrary order for kids to do things such as play video games or do other activities, assignments, or chores. You can also select to draw as many names at a time as you wish in case you need to choose random groups from a larger group. Name lists can be saved and loaded from within the program in case you have different classes or groups of people from which you need to select random names frequently.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.2:
- Saved name lists and user settings are now roaming so that they follow users to different computers on their network.
More Popular Miscellaneous Home Software downloads
- Mobipocket Reader
2,526 downloads
- MB-Ruler
1,575 downloads
- Free Image Converter
1,261 downloads
- Anti Mosquito Software
1,034 downloads
- PS3 Xploder
792 downloads
- The Hat
661 downloads
- MB Janam Kundali
645 downloads
- Daily Planner for Excel
629 downloads
- PlayOn
499 downloads
-
All versions:
4.4 starsout of 19 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"Very Handy!"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
Does just what it says, imports lists from simple .txt files, nice interface, cute icon, easy to use, fun visual shuffling effect.
Cons
The bright green background of the "draw" screen is a bit garish. Nothing too terrible, though.
Summary
I love this little program, and have come back to download and re-install it each time I get a new computer. I'm an artist, and use The Hat to make lists of characters to draw and situations or words for ideas of what to draw them doing. This could be used for writing fiction, too; all-in-all, a very helpful creative tool.
-
"Does what it says"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
Does what it says, very nice software for home and for school.
Cons
Does what it says
-
"Great program for home and school use"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
Fast and easy to use
dosnt use up much memory.Cons
Nothing at all
-
"VERY USEFULL"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
can be used for so many things - very easy to use - luv it
Cons
nothing so far
Summary
thank you :-)
-
"simply easy program to select random names"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
very easy to install and use
Cons
no cons noted so far
Summary
easy program
-
"Great software to use for random picks"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
The ability to use a any text file list that you create to use use with The Hat.
Cons
No Cons that I could find with The Hat.
Summary
If you want a quick and easy way to pick a random name, an item, or numbers from a list The Hat is the software to go with. I highly recommend The Hat here.
-
"Cnet are you failling us?"
Version: The Hat 2.4
Pros
I did not use it for the reason explained below.
Cons
At the end of the installation, I was automatically redirected to a site that brought up a warning screen from Google Chrome : I was advised that visiting that site "might harm my computer. I used to thrust Cnet download site. I am not sure anymore.
-
"Cool software."
Version: The Hat 2.3
Pros
Cool software.
I looked for this kind of software for a long time.Cons
Cool software.
I looked for this kind of software for a long time.Summary
Cool software.
I looked for this kind of software for a long time. -
"Simple concept - great execution"
Version: The Hat 2.3
Pros
The ability to pick pairs is particularly useful, for a possible development how about picking 3, 4 ... n names?
Cons
The display when "shuffling" makes my eyes go funny ;-)
-
"i like the hat because it is perfect for people like me"
Version: The Hat 2.3
Pros
i like that you don't have to chose for some things that you just can't decide
Cons
i don't think that there is anything wrong with the hat
